Poet-in-residence thrilled to wear the dark blue

Selkirk’s poet-in-residence Thomas Clark has been called up for national duty.

However, he won’t be pulling out his pen for Scotland ... he’ll be kicking a ball around the park alongside such illustrious writers as Chris Brookmyre and Ian Rankin.

He’s been asked to pull on the dark blue shirt for the Scotland Writers’ team – which also includes former Aberdeen striker Arild Stavrum – for an upcoming fixture in Airdrie.

Thomas said : “Representing Scotland is a dream come true for most people. It’ll be a fantastic experience.”

The team represents Scotland in competition against writers’ sides from countries across Europe.

Thomas added: “It was off the back of my residency at Selkirk that it all came about. Shortly after that, the team got in touch to ask if I would like to be involved – and of course I jumped at the chance.”